"A total of EUR 150 million could be allocated for the PEACE Programme and
if secured it needs to have a gender measure
to support the special needs of women and girls during post-conflict
reconstruction.

“Women played an important part in the
Peace Process and there are still many issues relating solely to women during
the conflict that have to be resolved.

“Today women continue to play a major
role in the post conflict situation but we need to ensure that funding is
available if they are fulfil their potential of helping transform our
communities.

“This conference today is an
opportunity to send the message out that gender
equality is a Human Rights issue and it should not be pushed down the pipe as
an issue to be resolved "later".

“It is also an
opportunity to let our voices be heard that the proposals to amalgamate the three programmes of gender equality and
anti-discrimination sections of the PROGRESS programme, the Daphne III programme to combat violence
against women, children and young people, and the Fundamental Rights and
Citizenship programme under one umbrella will disadvantage the campaign for
real equality for women.

“Women
have borne the brunt of the economic recession as more women were exposed to
job insecurity, to sacking and to higher levels of poverty and were less
covered by systems of social security.

“Since
the debt crisis these situations have deteriorated and men
and women do not have an equal place in the labour market because of gender
discriminatory practices.

“The
elimination of gender inequality is therefore a question of both social justice
and economic necessity.

“This
conference is my way of connecting with you to hear from you about the impact
of decisions taken possibly thousands of miles away in the EU Parliament and to
listen to your ideas about how we get more women involved and supported in
political life and leadership.

“It
is about empowering people to take equality and make it relevant in all our
lives and ensuring that we access the support from Peace IV in order to make
that happen today.”